Projector for automatically threading, rewinding, and indexing a plurality of film spools and a magazine for use therewith

ABSTRACT

A magazine having a plurality of adjoining reel compartments supplies film from successive reels in a film path for forward projection and receives film returned from the path during reverse projection and rewind following forward projection according to the condition of means for moving film between the magazine and a take-up member. During projector threading and rewind, the film path is enlarged and a shuttle for moving film intermittently during projection is prevented from film engagement. Sensing means at the film path condition the projector for (1) forward projection following threading, (2) rewinding following forward projection, and (3) terminating rewinding.

tlnited States Patent 1191 [111 3,761,167 Henrilksen 1 Sept, 25, 1973[54] PROJECTOR FOR AUTOMATICALLY 3,063.65] 11/1962 Becker 352 173 xTHIREADHNG, RIEWHNMNG, AND INDIEXIING $337,146 8/ I967 Miyauchi- Aewnnurv or FIILM SPOULS AND A 22:2? 352/157 MAGAZINE FOR USE THEREWHTH[75] Inventor: Elmer C. Henriksen, Chicago, Ill. OREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS 942,670 4/1956 Germany 352/173 [73] Assignee: Bell & Howellflompany, Chicago,

111. Primary Examiner-Monroe H. Hayes [22] Filed: May 17 1971Attorney-William F. Pinsak et al.

[21] Appl. No.: 150,940 57 ABSTRACT Related US. Application Data Amagazine having a plurality of adjoining reel com- [60] Division of No706,239, Feb 19, 1968 Pat No. partments supplies film from successivereels in a film 3 4922 which is a Continuation f No. path for forwardprojection and receives film returned 439,210, March 12, 1965,abandoned. from the path during reverse projection and rewind fol- Ilowing forward projection according to the condition [52] US. Cl352/124, 352/123, 352/157, of means for moving film between the magazineand a 352/173 take-up member. During projector threading and re- [511111. C1. G031) 23/00 ind, the ilm path is enlarged and a shuttle formoving [58] Field 011 Search 352/124, 157, 158, film intermittentlyduring projection is prevented from 352/173 film engagement. Sensingmeans at the film path condition the projector for (1 forward projectionfollowing [56] References Cited threading, (2) rewinding followingforward projection,

UNITED STATES PATENTS and (3) terminating rewinding. 2,009.442 7/1935Foster 352/124 3 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures 150 le al:

PATENTEUS 3.761 @187 sum 1 0f 5 PATENTED SEFZSIQB SHEH a BF 5PATENIEDSEPZSW 371' 167 SHEET 3 BF 5 0 PRUJECTOR FOR AUTOMATIICALILYTHREADING, REWINDING, AND TNDEXING A PLURAILITY F FTLM SIPUULS AND AMAGAZINE FUR USE THIERlEWlITl-ll This is a division of application Ser.No. 706,239 filed Feb. 19, 1968 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,614,022 which was acontinuation of application Scr. No. 439,210 filed Mar. 12, 1965, nowabandoned.

The invention relates to a multiple septum magazine and to a projectorwith which the magazine is usable. Particularly, the magazine is adaptedto support several reels of film to enable sequential projection of thefilms with minimum attention by the operator. The projector includes anautomatic control and rewind feature further enabling the sequentialprojection of a plurality of reels of film.

The known projectors, even those of the automatic threading variety, areusually constructed such that following projection of a single film, oneor more manual steps must be performed prior to rewinding of the filmonto the supply reel. Specifically, when a film has been projected, theoperator must clear the film from the guide path, rewind the film ontothe supply reel, remove that reel, and replace it with a new reel offilm. Thus, several manipulative steps must be performed by the operatorbetween the projection of two reels of film.

Other problems which must be overcome to have a successful multipleseptum magazine accepting projector include feeding the respective filmsfrom the magazine at the desired time, and once the film is projected,rewinding it upon the supply reel, and indexing the magazine to presenta new film for projection. To rewind the film onto the supply reel inthe shortest possible time requires high speed movement of the film.Normally, without clearing the film from the film path used for normalforward projection, this cannot be accomplished because of the dragdeveloped'by the film' moving between the film gate and the apertureplate, the drag caused by the side guides and the presence of theshuttle tooth in the film path. Ordinarily, the shuttle tooth must bemoved at an equally rapid rate to prevent damaging the film due totearing of the sprocket holes therein.

The present invention attempts to solve these several problems byproviding a magazine in which a plurality of reels of motion picturefilm may be supported relative to a projector capable of sequentiallyprojecting the films. Particularly the magazine incorporates means topermit it to be indexed relative to the projector. It also includes aprovision enabling a drive means of the projectorto cause the film to befed through a guide path to the projection area of the projector andsubsequently to a take-up means.

The projector construction permits automatic rewind of the film afterthe film path has been cleared to enable relatively free movement of thefilm therethrough. Film actuated sensors condition the projector for thesequences necessary to automatically controlling the film movement fromthreading through rewind. This projector includes a novel magazineindexing mechanism which includes a provision which, after a length offilm has been projected, automatically indexes the magazine to enableprojection of another film and to automatically actuate the projector toproject that film. Throughout the projection and rewind sequencesrelating to a particular film, an end of that film is retained on thesupply reel by a novel shock-absorbing unit.

An object of the invention is to provide a novel magazine to support aplurality of webs of flexible, elongated material for sequentialhandling.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a multiple septummagazine for holding a plurality of reels of motion picture film forsequential handling, the magazine including means to permit indexing ofsame relative to the projector.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a magazinehaving a plurality of septums therein for maintaining a plurality offilm within the magazine in spaced relation one to another and beingprovided with mechanisms to permit indexing such that each of the reelsof film will be sequentially projected.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a motionpicture projector on which a magazine containing a plurality of motionpicture films is selectively positioned and each film automatically fedinto the machine, projected, and rewound.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a motionpicture projector having a mechanism to automatically condition theprojector for rewind of the motion picture film.

A still additional object of the present invention is to provide a novelmechanism for use with a magazine wherein the film is returned to themagazine upon completion of the projection of a length thereof.

Another additional object is to provide a motion picture projector witha novel mechanism to clear the normal film path thereof of normallyinterfering mechanisms enabling the film to be moved freely along thepath.

A still further object is to provide a motion picture projector with amagazine supporting portion over which a magazine may be indexedrelative to a film entrance path of the projector to permit therespective films in the magazine to be threaded into the projector.

Another further object is to provide a motion picture projector whichcooperates with a magazine and includes means to sequentially project alength of film supplied in the magazine, means to rewind the projectedfilm, and means to index the magazine when the length of the projectedfilm is returned to the magazine.

' A yet further object is to provide a novel shockabsorbing unit for asupply reel wherein film breakage is reduced to a minimum.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description of certainpreferred embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the projector and a magazine supportedthereon incorporating the present novel concept;

FIG. 2 is a view taken along section line 22 of FIG. 1 disclosing themagazine and indexing mechanism in more detail;

FIG. 3 'is a section view taken along line 3-3 of FIG.

FIG. A is a detailed view of a cross-section of the magazine;

FIG. 5 is a view taken along section line 5-5 of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a detailed view taken along line 6-6 of FIG.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of'supply reel including ashocleabsorbing unit for use with the projector;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the shockabsorbing unit andfilm as disclosed in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a view of the mechanism of the present invention as applied tothe projector;

FIG. 10 is a view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a view taken along line 111l of FIG. 9 with the machine inoperating condition;

FIG. 12 is a view taken along line 12-12 with the machine in rewindcondition; and

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram disclosing the operating circuitry ofthe, present projector.

In FIG. 1 is disclosed an automatic threading type projector 10 on whichfilm supply means, herein shown as a magazine 12, is mounted inoperating position. The projector 10 has a housing 14 includingmechanism support portion 14 to which various mechanism components aremounted. A portion of housing 14 is formed as a support section 18, suchas a substantially planar plate, relative to which the magazine 12 ispositioned to be moved. A film entrance slot is located in the plate 18such that a film 22 may be fed from the magazine into a film handlingmechanism 24 and onto means for taking up film such as a take-up reel26. The film handling mechanism 24, generally located in the projectionarea, is driven by a motive means such as motor 34 in a conventionalmanner. Certain components of the film handling mechanism are locatedadjacent to or normally in a film guide path 36 through the projector.The reel is supported on the projector hous ing 14, for taking up filmin a conventional manner following passage through path 36.

As the film 22 passes through film entrance slot 20 in plate 18, itenters the upper portion of the film path 36 passing between a pair ofchannel members 40, 42, one of which is pivoted to move about an axis44. The channel members have opposing modified S mating surfaces.Adjacent the pivoted channel member 42, so as to be actuated thereby, islocated a normally open type, microswitch or sensor 48 having a contactmember 50 formed as a biasing spring to urge the pivoted channel memberinto its normal position. The sensor 48 is responsive to the tautness offilm in film path 36 and is connected in the operating circuitry of theprojector to determine completion of projection of the film and tocondition other portions of the circuitry to initiate a rewind sequenceof the film. The activation of the sensor 48 occurs when the filmbecomes taut in the film path and acquires a linear configurationbearing against the movable channel member so as to move same. Thistautness is caused when substantially a full length of film on filmsupply means herein shown as a supply reel 52 to which an end 22a of thefilm is maintained, has been projected and the film handling mechanism24 continues to attempt to feed the film through the film path 36.

Below the channel formed by members 40, 42 is positioned the lenscarriage-film gate support 54 including a pressure plate 58 and aprojection lens 60. A conventional lens focusing knob 61 extends fromsupport 54. To one side of the pressure plate is positioned a fixed sideguide 62 which normally engages the film 22. (See FIGS. 11 and 12.)Adjacent the opposing film edge is located a movable side guide 63,which is urged into engagement with the film edge by conventional means.

Accordingly, when normally disposed, guide 63 together with guide 62comprise means defining a portion of path 36. An inclined flange 64 isformed along the edge of guide 63 remote from the film. Means comprisingpressure plate 58 together with an aperture plate 66 defines a portionof path 36 behind lens 60 across the optical axis. Said pressure platebears against one face of the film for maintaining the other face of thefilm against said aperture plate through which the light from aconventional lamp (not shown), located in lamp housing portion 70, willproject the image carried by film 22 onto a screen (not shown) in aconventional manner. A resilient member 74, such as a coiled spring, ismounted in an operative manner to urge the lens carriage-film gatesupport 54 into a position aligned on the projection axis of lens 60with the pressure plate 58 against the film 22, substantially as shownin FIG. 11.

From the projection area 24, the film is subsequently fed to the take-upreel 26 onto which it may be threaded either manually or automatically.The reel is mounted in a substantially conventional manner on a spindle76 supported on housing 14 and may be driven from motor 34 in aconventional manner.

Means for intermittently moving film 22 through the film path in theprojector comprises a shuttle drive 80 having a film engaging componentsuch as shuttle tooth 78 for effecting film movement during projection.The drive is supported remotely from the tooth for pivoting action aboutan axis 81 through a mechanism plate 14'. The shuttle tooth is normallycyclically movable into film path 36 to engage sprocket holes 82 in thefilm. The shuttle tooth, a shutter 79 and other components of film drivemechanism 24 are synchronously operated by drive motor 34.

A manual advance wheel 84 is mounted on a rotatable shaft 86 to permitmanual operation of the shutter 79 and of the shuttle tooth 78 in aconventional manner. (See FIG.10) The shaft 86 extends through mechanismmounting lugs 88, 88 formed with housing 14. Between a stop portion 90attached to the shaft and one of the lugs 88 is positioned a coiledspring 92 to urge the shaft exteriorly of the machine. The shuttle drive80 is mounted to be moved by a shuttle control cam 91 fixed to shaft 86.Longitudinal movement of the shaft, causes similar movement of theshuttle tooth relative to the film path 36. Thus, the tooth is held outof engagement with the film, when the shaft is held against the biasingof spring 92.

The reversible motor 34 is provided with transmission means which may bein the form of pulleys 93, 94. The transmission pulleys are connected todrive various machine components by belts 96, 98 which respectively ridein the V-grooves of the pulleys 93, 94. A shaft 100 of the motor 34extends both forwardly and rearwardly of the motor body. The rearwardportion 100' terminates as a fan support shaft in the cooling fanhousing 101. The belt 98 on pulley 94 transmits motion to a pulley 99,formed as a rim for shutter 79 thus driving the shutter, shuttle drive80 and other driven elements operably connected to shaft 86.

On the front end of motor shaft 100 is fixed a clutch member 102 havinga friction face 103. An end flange 104 of the drive pulley 93 cooperatesas the other clutch surface when the pulley is moved on the end of shaft100 and the clutch surfaces engaged. The drive pulley 93 is mounted ondrive shaft 100 such that the clutch surfaces are normally looselyengaged so that although pulley 93 is not positively driven, it isrotatable with shaft 1118. Belt 96 is entrained around pulley 93 andanother pulley 110 to transmit rotation thereto. Pulley 1111 is fixed toa shaft 111 which is supported in a bracket 112 fixed to the housing. Asimilar pulley 114 is mounted spaced from pulley 118 along the shaft 111to transmit the drive through a belt 116 for driving a dual rimmeddriver roller 128 which comprises means for transferring film into andreturning film from path 36 from and to the film supply means.

Driver roller 128 is mounted on a shaft 122 which is rotatably supportedin a pivoted arm 124. The end of shaft 122 opposite the driver rollerhas a pulley 126 fixed thereto. About the pulley is looped the other endof belt 116. The arm 124 is mounted to pivot on a shaft 128 supported ona bracket 130, which is preferably attached to the support plate 18. Theend of the arm 124 remote from the driver roller support shaft 122 isattached through a resilient connection 133 to a movable member 134 of asolenoid or other operator 136 mounted on the housing 14. A stop 138 isadjustably mounted on the housing to limit the movement of the arm 124when solenoid 136 is inoperative.

Movably positioned atop support plate 18 is a preferred embodiment ofthe magazine 12 in operating position. This multifilm magazine, as seenmore particularly in FIGS. 2-6, comprises a housing which is formed of amolded support or bottom section 140 and a closure or top section 142,which may be formed in a like manner. These sections are joined togetheralong one longitudinal surface by hinge structure 146. The sections areretained together when closed by a latch structure, e.g., a springmember 152 (See FIGS. 1 and 2) attached to one section so as to readilysnap into and out of a cooperating notch 158 in the other section foreasy latching and unlatching.

An interior surface 168 of the support section 146 is substantiallysemicircular and has a plurality of relieved portions orgrooves 162spaced apart sufficiently to permit a pair of reel flanges 52a, 52b ofadjacent supply reels 52, 52 to seat in'the groove without theiradjacent surfaces engaging one another. Between each pair of grooves 162is an unrelieved portion 168 which is of a width a little less than thewidth of the film 22 to be contained on the respective reels in themagazine. The depth of the groove relative to the unrelieved portions issufficient to prevent shifting of the reels longitudinally in themulti-reel magazine, but slightly less than the diameter of a full rollof motion picture film, e.g., as usually returned from the processor.

The interior surface 1611a of the closure section 142 is preferablysimilarly grooved to form a substantially complete bearing andprotective surface for the reels of film therein. A plurality of grooves162a are aligned with the grooves 162 of the support section 140, as thei unrelieved portions 168a are aligned with the other unrelievedportions 168. It will be readily seen that sub stantially half of eachgroove adjacent an unrelieved portion and that unrelieved portion form achamber or septum 169 for a reel of film.

Extending longitudinally of the magazine 12 is a rod 178 having areduced tapered end 172 and a knob174 fixedly secured to the endopposite the tapered end. The rod 170 is supported in a pair ofsemicircular bearing surfaces 176, 176a in each of a pair of end plates178, 1780 of support section 1411. In the other end plates 180, 180aofclosure section 142 are formed similar semicircular bearing surfaces182, 182a to retain the rod, and the reels 52 positioned thereon, inposition when the magazine is closed. The rod passes through theconventional spindle opening 183 in each reel 52. The cooperating plates178, 180, 178a, and a form respective end walls of the magazine.

in one end plate, such as 178a of support section 140 is formed amagazine moving member receiving slot 185 of complementary shape to anend portion 186 of a magazine moving member 188. This magazine movingmember is an elongated normally coiled noncumulative force type spring.The other end is wound about a rotatable core 189 supported on anupright rod 190. The rod is fixed in the magazine support plate 18. Thespring is unwound from about core 189 and a torque created'therein whenthe end portion 186 is engaged in slot 185 of the magazine and themagazine is moved. The torque of the spring is subsequently employed tourge the magazine in the reverse direction to position the respectiveloaded septums 169 relative to the film entrance slot 20 in supportplate 18.

As seen in FIG. 7, the reel 52 has been provided with a shock-absorbingfilm clip unit 202 detailed in FIG. 8. The end 220 of the film 22 isheld securely thereby to resist the pull on the film of the film movingmechanism 24 and the take-up reel 26 of the projector. The supply reel52 is formed with flanges 52a, 52b surrounding a hub 204 through whichis formed spindle opening 183. The hub is usually formed with spokes 205dividing the hub into segments. Axial access through at least one suchsegment is unrestricted to permit manipulation of the end of the filmafter it is fed through a slot 207 substantially in the center of thatsegment of the hub. The film end portion 22a is folded about an end of ashock absorber 209 formed of a deformable material, such as a piece offlat spring steel. A small hole 210 is formed near that end of thespring. The spring is approximately the width of the film and of alength slightly less than a chord of the hub interior. The chord istaken between junctures of adjacent spokes 2115 with the hub interior. Asmall clip 21 1 is snapped over the folded film and the spring. The cliphas a tang 212 bent therefrom adjacent one end thereof. A hole 213,cooperating with the tang is located adjacent the other end of the clip.The holes 2111 and 213 are aligned such that tang 212 passes through thetwo layers of film and through the respective holes 218 and 213. Theunit 282 is not inserted in the hub segment with the film feedingthrough slot 287 to begin the first convolution of film about hub 204.

The film is thus positively held to reel 52 such that end 220 will notbe pulled therefrom when the length of film on the reel has been unwoundand projected. The shock absorbing unit 282 reduces the sudden tensionforce of the film pull when the innermost convolution is unwound. Thefiat spring 289 permits a slight give to the film, when tensionedsufficiently to substantially avoid film breakage and to enableactuation of sensor means responsive to film tautness.

As seen in FlGS. 2 and 5, the support section 140 of magazine 12 has asubstantially planar, lower exterior wall surface 192 provided with arack 194, a driver access opening 196 and a film outlet slot 198. Therack portion 194 is comprised of a plurality of teeth 214 formed in thebottom of the support section. Each tooth 214 has a surface 214aextending perpendicular to the support surface 18 and a second surface214b inclined relative to the support surface. Surfaces 214a and 21412are engaged by portions of an escapement mechanism 216 when the magazineis positioned to be indexed relative to the magazine support surface 18.

The driver access opening 196 in the bottom of the magazine is sizedsufficiently larger than that portion of the split or dual-rimmed driverroller 120 which will enter therein through the bottom of supportsection 140 to engage the flanges of one of the reels 52. The peripheralsurfaces of driver roller 120 are surrounded with tires 218, 218 ofrubber or similar material, to effectively transmit the driving force tothe reel and therefore to the film on the reel.

Across the bottom of the support section 140 and centrally of eachchamber 169 is integrally formed with the section a rib 222. These ribshave an arcuate interior configuration which continues the semicircularconfiguration of the interior surface of the unrelieved portions 168.

The film outlet slot 198 is formed through the bottom of support section140 as the terminal portion of a wedge area 226 through which the film22 is guided between the interior of the magazine and the film entranceslot of the projector. Tapered portions 199 are formed in the section140 to form side aligning guides for the film being fed through eachoutlet slot 198. Outlet slot 198 as well as entrance slot 20 are sizedto have a width and thickness slightly greater than the similardimensions of the particular film for which the projector is designed.

Along at least one, but preferably both, longitudinal edges of thesupport section 140 of the magazine is located a flange 230. Each flangewill pass under a holddown member 232 fixed on support plate 18 tomaintain the magazine aligned on the projector.

The magazine indexing and film feeding mechanism of the projector ispositioned primarily below the magazine support plate 18, but with someelements thereof extending through and above the plate surface. As seenin FIG. 2, the indexing mechanism includes an escapement mechanism 216having a pair of stop portions 242, 243 extending from a body 244 whichis pivoted about an axis through a pivot shaft 248. The escapement isactuated to pivot, in part, by a solenoid 250 and in part, by completionof the septum advance of the magazine. A rod 252 is fixed to thelongitudinally movable solenoid plunger 256 to be moved therewith. Therod is connected to an arm 258 of the escapement body 244. Energizationof solenoid 250 is controlled, in part, by the circuit making andbreaking action of a film presence closing sensor or microswitch 260(Note FIG. 6) and a rack tooth presence closing sensor or microswitch262 to cause indexing of the magazine when a projected film has beenreturned thereto.

As seen in FIG. 2, the escapement mechanism 216 is normally pivoted suchthat the magazine is biased against stop portion 243. When the solenoid250 is actuated, the mechanism pivots about axis 248 releasing theaffected magazine rack tooth 214 and stopping the preceding onewith stopportion 242. Return of the solenoid to normal allows slight movement ofthe magazine to locate a rack tooth following the first for engagementby the stop portion 243.

As seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, an actuator plate 275, which comprises meansfor opening the path 36 and preventing film engagement by shuttle 80during film transfer into and return from said path, is pivotallymounted to move about a shaft 277 mounted in a mechanism plate 14' ofhousing 14. The pivoting action of the actuator plate is controlled by asolenoid 278 mounted in another portion of housing 14. The moving member280 of the solenoid 278 is attached to the plate through an angledportion 279 extending from the plate such that when the solenoid isactuated, the plate will be urged rearwardly of the projector. (FIG. 9being a front view.) The motion of the plate will actuate severalmechanisms of the projector to condition the projector for initialprojector threading and fast film rewind onto the appropriate supplyreel 152 in the magazine 12.

Movement of the actuator plate 275 is transmitted to move the aperturegate 58 away from film 22 by pivoting of the lens carriage-film gatesupport 54 about a hinge pin 282. This movement of the support 54 awayfrom the adjacent housing 14 is against the biasing of the spring member74. As seen in FIGS. 912 the plate 275 is connected to an adjustableheaded abutment member 286. This abutment member and therefore the partsattached thereto, are biased forwardly of the projector by a rockablecoil spring 288 mounted about a fixed stud 290. The abutment member ispositioned to engage an arm 292 fixedly mounted in a support movingplate 294. This plate is slidable on headed pins 296, 296 mounted in aportion of housing 14, and extending through slots 297, 297 in plate294. On the slidable plate is a wedge member 298 which will move thesupport 54 to an open condition against the urging of spring member 74when the plate 275 is pulled rearwardly of the projector by solenoid278.

Simultaneously with the actuation of the wedge member 298 and theresulting clearing of the adjacent portion of film path 36, a contactbutton 301 on an arm portion 302 of the actuator plate 275 engages theforward portion of the manual advance wheel 84 which is locked toshuttle support shaft 86. As the arm portion 302 moves the shaft 86, theshuttle tooth is caused to be moved clear of the film path 36 (asdisclosed in FIG. 12) when solenoid 278 is energized. This eliminatesthe necessity for having to actuate the shuttle tooth in timing with themore rapid movement of the film in fast rewind or the removing of thefilm from film path 36.

The film path 36 is simultaneously widened in the areaof the side guides62, 63 as the support moving plate 294 is moved. A pusher 299 extendingfrom the plate engages the flange 64 of the side guide 63 to move itfrom its normal operating position to an outward position spaced fromthe side of the film, as seen in FIG. 12. Thus, the drag on the filmedge, which is normally associated with keeping it aligned in the filmgate, is effectively eliminated.

As seen in FIG. 10, a threaded stud 310 is adjustably mounted in aportion of plate 275. Movement of the plate thus causes the stud toengage the cone cover 316 integral with the movable clutch or reversingpulley portion 93 to longitudinally move the pulley into frictionalengagement with the clutch portion 102 which is fixed to shaft 100.Thus, the pulley is driven by the motor at a high speed attained by themore positive drive and because the motor is under a relatively smallload in rewind as compared to the much larger load required to move thefilm in the closed film path. Energization of solenoid 278 occursprimarily when the film tautness or projection completion sensor 48 hasbeen actuated.

Disclosed in FIG. 13 is an exemplary circuit for the instant projectorin which a magazine presence detecting sensor 312 is located in the mainpower supply to enable the projector to be operated only when a magazine12 is present on support plate 18. This sensor is preferably located onthe projector adjacent the sensor 262 to be engaged by a portion of themagazine bottom 192 adjacent the rack 194. The sensor is actuated toenable operation of the projector as long as the maga zine isoperatively positioned thereon. lf the projector is designed for singlereel use, a conventional control switch would be substituted for sensor312.

The control of the projector is initiated by temporarily depressing aforward control button 318. This button is operably connected to actuateforward relay 322 which controls several contacts, which are preferablyof the double pole, single throw type. A similar reverse control button325 is connected to actuate similar contacts through a reverse relay328. The control magnets of the relays are electrically interlockedthrough contacts 334, 338 such that only one relay may be operated at atime. Pressing of the forward button 318 closes the circuit through theforward relay 322 to move the several contacts from their disclosed offpositions to their respective on positions. The connecting circuitthrough the normally ofi' position of the reverse button 325 andcontacts 332, is completed to form a holding circuit to maintain theforward relay closed until the circuit is eventually broken by theactuation of the completion of projection sensor 48 or the actuation ofthe reverse button 325 to its on position.

Contacts 340 of the forward relay 322 complete the circuit to energizethe motor 34. Contacts 342 energize solenoid 278 and solenoid 134. Thesesolenoids are in circuit as film is fed past the projection area and theforward solenoid release sensor 344 is actuated thereby. Interruption ofthe circuit through the'solenoids terminates the reel driving engagementof the driver 120 and simultaneously permits shuttle tooth 78 and theother elements actuated by the movement of plate 275 to return to theirnormal operating condition. The projector now operates to feed film in aconventional manner until substantially the entire roll has beenprojected.

The automatic control circuitry through the projector remainsunchangeduntil the completion of projection sensor 48 is operated tocause energization of the reverse relay 328 and a rewind relay 346,simultaneously releasing the forward relay 322 by breaking the holdingcircuit through the reverse button 325. The reverse relay is placed in aholding circuit between contacts 338 offorward relay 322, the circuitthrough forward button 318, and holding contacts 354 of the reverserelay 328. Solenoid 134 is actuated through the completion of thenecessary circuit through contacts 356. These contacts have alsoenergized the reel advance switch sensor 260. Simultaneously, contacts358 are closed to cause the direction of operation of motor 34 to bereversed. Forward relay 322 cannot now be actuated due to the interlockestablished through contacts 334 and the open circuit through reversebutton 325.

As indicated, the rewind relay 346 is simultaneously operated whensensor 48 is actuated. This relay is held closed by a holding circuitenergized by completion of the interlock circuit through contacts 334and holding contacts 362. Through the circuit now established bycontacts 364, solenoid 278 is actuated. The reel advance solenoid 250 isenergized until the film is rewound past sensor 260, to release it andthus indicate the completion of the rewind portion of the cycle. Thisactivation of sensor 260 by absence of film now breaks the holdingcircuits of relays 328 and 346 as the film returns to the magazine.However, the rewind and reverse circuits are maintained until indexingof the magazine causes rack tooth 214 to actuate sensor 262. Theescapement mechanism 216 has been activated by the actuation of thesolenoid 250, which was energized by completion of the circuit throughcontacts 370 of the rewind relay and the closing of sensor 260, to nowpermit spring 188 to urge the magazine to position the next septumthereof for a forward projection cycle. This indexing movement of themagazine now causes the tooth 214 to close the circuit through sensor262 to automatically actuate forward relay 322 to initiate repetition ofthe previously described cycle.

If the projector operator desires to operate the projector in normalspeed reverse, such is accomplished by depressing the reverse controlbutton 325. Thus, the reverse relay 328 is energized and placed in aholding circuit by completing the circuit through contacts 354 and theforward button 318. Since reverse relay 328 is operated, motor 34 isenergized through contacts 358 for reverse operation. The reel drivesolenoid 134 has been simultaneously energized through contacts 356 tocause raising of the driver roller to drive the reel 164 in a rewinddirection. The circuit through solenoid 278 remains open to maintainfilm path 36 in its closed condition with clutch faces 103, 104 notpositively engaged, as when direct drive is desired. The reverseoperation is therefore carried out at a normal speed.

Loading of the magazine requires that the operator align and place thedesired number of reels of film in the septums 169 of the magazine,beginning with the septum adjacent the leading end of the magazine, asit is moved over the projector. The top of the magazine is closed andlatched. The magazine is then located on the support plate 18 of theprojector 10 between the guides 232, 232 and is manually or otherwisemoved across the support plate, tensioning the spring 188, until thelast filled septum is substantially aligned over the film. path entranceslot 20 of the projector. The necessary number of rack teeth 214 on themagazine have been moved beyond the escapement mechanism 216. Thesurface 214a of the last of the teeth to pass the mechanism becomesengaged with it to hold the magazine in position for the film in thealigned septum to be fed into the projector.

Operation of the projector is now initiated by actuation of forwardbutton 318 which energizes forward relay 322. Through the contacts ofthis relay, the motor 34 is energized to drive the required elements ofthe projector. Solenoid 134 is likewise energized to causethe elevationof driver roller 120 into engagement with the loaded reel 164 todrivably rotate that reel in a clockwise direction. Because the solenoid278 is actuated, the film path is cleared and the clutch faces 1113,1114 are frictionally engaged so that the driver roller 120 is operatedat a high speed. Thus, by the centrifugal force generated, the end offilm 22 is urged outwardly of the reel into and through the wedge area226 to subsequently enter the film path 36 through entrance opening 20.The film is subsequently fed through the prjection area 24 and onto thetake-up reel 26. Immediately before reaching the take-up reel, the filmhas actuated the sensor 344 which determines that the threading sequencehas been completed. The solenoids 134 and 278 are now de-energized andthe projector operated in a substantially normal manner until the lengthof the film to be projected has passed through the projection area.

The end of the film 22 is locked to the reel 164 so as not to be pulledtherefrom when the film has been fully projected. The pull of the filmfeed and take-up mechanisms will cause the film to be pulled taut in thefilm path. This will cause movable channel member 42 to actuate sensor48 to indicate completion of the projection sequence The circuit throughsensor 48 will then condition the projector for fast rewind. Thisconditioning includes opening the film gate 54, retracting the shuttletooth 78 from the film path 36, moving the side guide 63, and reversingthe motor 34 which is operable at a high speed since it is positivelyclutched to drive the roller 120 for fast counterclockwise rotation ofthe reel 164 and is required only to move the film through a clear filmpath.

As the end of the film 22 clears the reel advance switch 260, and isfinally wound on the reel 164 as the reel coasts to a stop, the reverseand rewind circuits are returned to normal and the projector isconditioned for another projection-rewind cycle to follow indexing ofthe magazine by the escapement mechanism actuator 250 as controlled bythe circuit through sensor 262 which was opened by the movementthereover of one of the rack teeth 214 of the magazine as the escapementmechanism 216 releases the same to be moved by the biasing of spring188.

lf the previously projected film was in the last of the septums, themagazine clears the magazine presence sensor 312 and de-energizes themain projector circuit, automatically cutting off power to the machineuntil the operator positions another magazine with film therein on theprojector.

Although the projector has been described as intended for use withmulti-reel magazines, obviously, portions of it may be adapted for useas an automatic rewinding projector for reels of film. Thus, the controlcircuitry for detecting and causing indexing of the magazine can beeliminated as unnecessary. The projector will then operate to projectfilm and return theprojected film to the reel without the attention ofthe operator.

it is to be understood that modifications and variations may be effectedwithout departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the presentinvention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a motion picture projector having a lens defining a projectionaxis, means defining a film path through the projector and across theprojection axis, film supply means including a supply reel from whichfilm is fed to the projection axis, film take-up means to which film isfed from the projection axis, and a film drive shuttle for moving filmacross the projection axis, the invention comprising:

a roller movable between an active position in which said roller is infrictional engagement with the circumferential periphery of the flangesof said supply reel for rotatably driving said supply reel and a normalinactive position disengaged from contact with said supply reel;

control circuit means including sensing means for sensing an increase infilm tension incident to an end-of-run condition upon completion offorward projection of film to provide a rewind actuation signal;

film path control means responsive to said rewind actuation signal forpreventing engagement of the film by said film drive shuttle and forenlarging said film path; and

roller control and drive means responsive to said rewind actuationsignal for moving said roller to said active position and for drivingsaid roller in a rotational direction effective to rotate said supplyreel to effect rewind of film onto said supply reel.

2. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said projection includes inproximity of said projection axis a film pressure plate means and filmside guide means and wherein said film path control means is effectiveto enlarge said film path by retracting said film pressure plate meansand said film side guide means for engagement with the film.

3. The invention defined in claim 2 further comprising means adjacentsaid film path and associated with said control circuit means responsiveto completion of rewind of the film to effect termination of rewindoperation of said projector.

1. In a motion picture projector having a lens defining a projectionaxis, means defining a film path through the projector and across theprojection axis, film supply means including a supply reel from whichfilm is fed to the projection axis, film take-up means to which film isfed from the projection axis, and a film drive shuttle for moving filmacross the projection axis, the invention comprising: a roller movablebetween an active position in which said roller is in frictionalengagement with the circumferential periphery of the flanges of saidsupply reel for rotatably driving said supply reel and a normal inactiveposition disengaged from contact with said supply reel; control circuitmeans including sensing means for sensing an increase in film tensionincident to an end-of-run condition upon completion of forwardprojection of film to provide a rewind actuation signal; film pathcontrol means responsive to said rewind actuation signal for preventingengagement of the film by said film drive shuttle and for enlarging saidfilm path; and roller control and drive means responsive to said rewiNdactuation signal for moving said roller to said active position and fordriving said roller in a rotational direction effective to rotate saidsupply reel to effect rewind of film onto said supply reel.
 2. Theinvention defined in claim 1 wherein said projection includes inproximity of said projection axis a film pressure plate means and filmside guide means and wherein said film path control means is effectiveto enlarge said film path by retracting said film pressure plate meansand said film side guide means for engagement with the film.
 3. Theinvention defined in claim 2 further comprising means adjacent said filmpath and associated with said control circuit means responsive tocompletion of rewind of the film to effect termination of rewindoperation of said projector.